Mega Millions jackpot hits $540 million

The Mega Millions lottery jackpot just got bigger: $540 million.

The Georgia Lottery updated the jackpot Thursday for Friday night’s drawing. The jackpot rose to $500 million earlier in the week after there was no winner in Tuesday’s drawing.

If there is a winner Friday, that person will win the largest jackpot in North American history, lottery officials said.

Two payment options are available to the lucky winner: about $20 million a year for 26 years with the annuity option; or a single payment worth approximately $389 million with the cash option.

But if you think you can win the $540 million and claim the prize anonymously, you’re out of luck. A winner’s identity is part of the public record and subject to Georgia’s Open Records Act, according to lottery spokeswoman Tandi Reddick. The lottery is required to disclose the winner’s name, city of residence, game won and the prize amount, Reddick said.

'Walmart of weed' opening store in Washington, D.C.

A company dubbed the "Walmart of Weed" is putting down roots in America's capital city, sprouting further debate on marijuana — medical or otherwise.

Just blocks from the White House and federal buildings, a company that candidly caters to medical marijuana growers is opening up its first outlet on the East Coast. The opening of the weGrow store on March 30 in Washington coincides with the first concrete step in implementing a city law allowing residents with certain medical conditions to purchase pot.

Like suppliers of picks and axes during the gold rush, weGrow sees itself providing the necessary tools to pioneers of a "green rush," which some project could reach nearly $9 billion within the next five years. Admittedly smaller than a big box store, weGrow is not unlike a typical retailer in mainstream America, with towering shelves of plant food and vitamins, ventilation and lighting systems. Along with garden products, it offers how-to classes, books and magazines on growing medical marijuana.

Dodgers home opener sold out after team sale to Magic Johnson group

 The Los Angeles Dodgers' home opener April 10 is sold out, following this week's news that the team will be bought by a group led by former Lakers star Magic Johnson.

The Dodgers announced late Wednesday that there are no more regular tickets available for the home opener. Fans can still buy seats if they purchase a season package.

The $2.15-billion sale of the team has re-energized fans, who are lining up to buy tickets and said they were once again hopeful for and committed to the Dodgers.

What to do if you win the Mega Millions lottery jackpot

As average Joes across the nation fantasize about winning the largest-ever Mega Millions jackpot on Friday, experts are offering advice on what to do if, by some miracle, you win the big prize.
Don McNay, author of the book "Son of a Son of a Gambler: Winners, Losers and What to Do When You Win the Lottery," has consulted with multiple lottery winners and offers four primary pieces of advice.
1. Never tell anybody you won

In California, a lottery winner’s basic information is a matter of public record, but only the very basics like your name, the place you bought the ticket, the date you won and the amount you won must be disclosed.
McNay said that once you turn your ticket in and  deal with the inevitable media circus, the best thing to do is hide under a rock.

If you put your good news up on Facebook or advertise it in any other way, “You’re asking for all kinds of trouble,” he said. “I had somebody tell me he got 800 phone calls the first day.”


2. Think for a minute

McNay also has stories of people running to buy cars even before they turn in their ticket, which may seem like a good spontaneous move, but likely isn’t the most rational.

“You don’t have to run and cash it in the first five minutes,” he said. “Think about setting it up properly, think about what you want the rest of you life to look like.”

3. Work with a financial adviser who works with more money than you have

Robo-readers: the new teachers' helper in the U.S

American high school students are terrible writers, and one education reform group thinks it has an answer: robots.

Or, more accurately, robo-readers - computers programmed to scan student essays and spit out a grade.

The theory is that teachers would assign more writing if they didn't have to read it. And the more writing students do, the better at it they'll become - even if the primary audience for their prose is a string of algorithms.